Two police officers suspended over turban removal

Chandigarh, March 30 (IANS) The Punjab government Wednesday ordered the immediate suspension of two police officers for allegedly being involved in an incident in which the turban of a Sikh man was removed during a protest in Mohali town, 10 km from here.

Those suspended included a superintendent of police (SP) and a station house officer (SHO) in Mohali.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

Taking a serious view of the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds the home portfolio, ordered an immediate magisterial inquiry into the incident, a state government spokesman said here.

The incident occurred at Mohali Monday where pharmacists from Punjab were holding a protest for their demands and the Punjab police initiated action to control the crowd.

During the protest, the two police officers were seen ordering that the turban of a Sikh protestor be removed.

“The home minister also issued a stern warning that the government take stern action against anyone found guilty of showing disrespect to the turban or any religious symbol of the Sikhs or any other community,” the spokesman added.

“There is absolutely zero tolerance for any such act of this nature committed by anyone, regardless of the position held by the guilty. No one will be spared in this regard,” he added.